Reorganization
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its annual Reorganization Meeting on January 7, 2019, with all five supervisors present: Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The board organized township governance for the new year, electing leadership, setting staff salaries, and retaining professional service providers. All 38 motions passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 8:39 PM.
- Kenneth Bechtel elected Chairman and Brad Bruner elected Vice Chairman, both unanimously with no other nominations.
- Staff salaries approved: Wendy Wentzel reappointed Secretary/Treasurer at $34,970/year (bonded at $1,000,000); Tim Belk reappointed Roadmaster at $49,650/year with township vehicle, gas card, and $25/month cell stipend; Levi Swigart reappointed Assistant Roadmaster at $17.61/hour.
- Part-time road crew wages set: Raymond Maus at $15.00/hour; Jay Bechtel at $15.00/hour general and $16.50/hour for CDL snowplowing — Chairman Kenneth Bechtel recused himself from discussion and vote on the latter (approved 4-0-1). General rates established at $16.50/hour for CDL plow operators, $12.00/hour for non-CDL plow operators and CDL drivers, and $11.00/hour for laborers.
- Professional services retained: Bruce Warshawsky as Solicitor ($750/month retainer, $150 first hour/$100 thereafter); Kurowski & Wilson as Township Engineer at 2018 rates (one competing firm submitted higher fees); Building Inspection Underwriters of PA and Light-Heigel and Associates as UCC inspectors; Brian McFeaters as Sewage Enforcement Officer with no alternate named.
- Emergency management: Tim Neiter reappointed as Emergency Management Coordinator at $600/year plus $15/month data stipend; Brad Bruner named Deputy EMC alongside Jeff Tracey and Bob Stout.
- Committee assignments: Steve Schreffler named PSATS convention delegate; Scott McBurney and Randy Paul to the Township Exploratory Committee; Brad Bruner and Steve Schreffler to the Fireworks Committee; Scott McBurney and Brad Bruner to the HR Committee.
- Banking and reimbursement: Mid Penn Bank retained as depository for all township accounts; federal mileage reimbursement set at $0.58/mile.
- 2019 meeting schedule approved: Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission meetings set for the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Township Municipal Building.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary) · Tim Belk (Roadmaster)
Meeting business
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Supervisor Brad Bruner nominated Ken Bechtel as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, seconded by Supervisor Randy Paul. Motion carried 5-0 with no other nominations.
ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN
Supervisor Scott McBurney nominated Brad Bruner as Vice Chairman, seconded by Supervisor Randy Paul. Motion carried 5-0 with no other nominations.
APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
Wendy Wentzel was reappointed as Secretary-Treasurer for 2019 at an annual salary of $34,970. Her hours are 9:00 AM–3:00 PM Monday through Friday with a one-hour daily floater, and duties include permit officer, attending meetings, and mileage reimbursement at the federal rate. Both motions carried 5-0.
AMOUNT OF BONDING FOR SECRETARY-TREASURER
Bonding for the Secretary-Treasurer position was approved in the amount of $1,000,000. Motion carried 5-0.
APPOINTMENT OF OPEN RECORDS OFFICER
Wendy Wentzel was appointed to serve as the Township's Open Records Officer for 2019. Motion carried 5-0.
APPOINTMENT OF ROADMASTER
Tim Belk was reappointed as Township Roadmaster for 2019 at an annual salary of $49,650. His compensation package includes a township vehicle, gas card, paid holidays, township credit card, and a $25/month cell phone stipend. He also serves as Nuisance Officer. Motion carried 5-0.
APPOINTMENT OF ASSISTANT ROADMASTER/FULLTIME ROADCREW
Levi Swigart was reappointed as Assistant Roadmaster for 2019 at $17.61 per hour. His compensation includes a township vehicle, gas card, paid holidays, and a $25/month cell phone stipend. Motion carried 5-0.
APPROVAL OF LABORERS/DRIVERS HOURLY RATE OF PAY
Raymond Maus was approved at $15.00/hour as a part-time employee (5-0). Jay Bechtel was approved at $15.00/hour as permanent part-time and $16.50/hour as a CDL snowplower (4-0-1, Chairman Bechtel abstaining). General rates were set at $16.50/hour for CDL plow operators, $12.00/hour for non-CDL plow operators and CDL drivers, and $11.00/hour for laborers (5-0).
APPROVAL OF PAY PERIODS
Employee pay periods were set as bi-weekly with payday on the Wednesday following the end of each pay period. Supervisor pay periods were set as monthly with payday on the last payday of the month. Motion carried 5-0.
APPROVAL OF EMPLOYEE PAID HOLIDAYS
Eight paid holidays were approved for 2019: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day (floating), Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and a Floater Day. Motion carried 5-0.
APPOINTMENT OF SOLICITOR & APPROVAL OF FEE SCHEDULE
Bruce Warshawsky was reappointed as Solicitor for 2019 with a fee schedule of $750/month retainer and $150/$100 thereafter as outlined. Motion carried 5-0.
APPOINTMENT OF ENGINEER & APPROVAL OF FEE SCHEDULE
Kurowski & Wilson (K&W Engineers) was reappointed as Township Engineer for 2019 at the same fee schedule as 2018. One other firm submitted for consideration but their fees exceeded K&W's. Motion carried 5-0.
APPOINTMENT OF UCC & APPROVAL OF FEE SCHEDULE
Building Inspection Underwriters of PA and Light-Heigel and Associates were reappointed as UCC inspectors for 2019 with their fee schedule approved. Motion carried 5-0.
APPOINTMENT OF SEO & APPROVAL OF FEE SCHEDULE
Brian McFeaters was appointed as the Township's primary Sewage Enforcement Officer for 2019 with his fee schedule approved. No alternate SEO was appointed at this time. Motion carried 5-0.
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
Robert P. Wentzel, Charnell Etzweiler, and Gwen Corsnitz were appointed as Auditors for 2019. Motion carried 5-0.
APPOINTMENT OF VACANCY BOARD CHAIRMAN
Gary Shultz was appointed to serve as Vacancy Board Chairman for 2019. Motion carried 5-0.
DEPOSITORIES
Mid Penn Bank was retained as the Township depository for 2019, holding the General Fund, Liquid Fuels Fund, Money Market Account, Plan Escrow Account (non-interest bearing), and Credit Card Account. Motion carried 5-0.
PSATS ANNUAL STATE CONVENTION
Supervisor Justin Schreffler was appointed as the voting delegate to the 2019 PSATS Annual State Convention. Motion carried 5-0.
REGIONAL COUNCILS, BOARDS & COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES
Chad Lebo was reappointed to the Planning Commission. Jon Miller was reappointed to HAWASA. Robert P. Wentzel was reappointed to the Dauphin County EIT Tax Collection Committee. Ken Bechtel was named UDCOG delegate. Tim Neiter was reappointed as Emergency Management Coordinator at $600/year plus $15/month data stipend. Brad Bruner was reappointed as Deputy EMC along with Jeff Tracey and Bob Stout. Scott McBurney and Randy Paul were reappointed to the Township Exploratory Committee. Brad Bruner and Justin Schreffler were reappointed to the Fireworks Committee. Scott McBurney and Brad Bruner were reappointed to the HR Committee. Cloud 5 Solutions was appointed as webmaster. All motions carried 5-0.
STANDARD MILEAGE RATE FOR 2019
The federal mileage reimbursement rate of $0.58 per mile was approved for 2019. Motion carried 5-0.
INTER-MUNICIPAL EQUIPMENT RATES
Inter-municipal equipment hourly rates were adopted for 2019, ranging from $35.00 to $110.00 per hour depending on equipment type, plus $40.00/hour for the asphalt roller, $25.00/day for the trailer, and $85.00 for weed spraying. Motion carried 5-0.
MONTHLY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS AND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS
The 2019 meeting schedule was approved for both the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission, with BOS meetings on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Township Municipal Building. Planning Commission meetings were also scheduled monthly. Motion carried 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Brad Bruner moved to adjourn, seconded by Supervisor Randy Paul. The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 PM.
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